HYDERABAD, Feb 15: The Pakistan Railways authorities have decreased seat quota for intending passengers of Thar Express from Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas cities to adjust passengers from Karachi.

The train is set to resume it journey from February 17. An Indian train would bring passengers from India to Zero Point railway station where passengers from Pakistan would board it for Jodhpur.

The railways had fixed 32 berths, 34 seats of economy class and six sleepers in the train for Hyderabad while for Mirpurkhas it were 36 berths and 18 seats when Thar Express began its journey on February 18 last year.

Now for Hyderabad, a reduced quota has been fixed at five berths and 26 seats while for Mirpurkhas only six berths and 20 seats have been reserved. “We couldn't understand rationale of our officers for taking this measure”, said a Hyderabad railway official.

There is great rush of intending passengers of Thar Express in Hyderabad as Khokhropar-Munabao rail link between Pakistan and India is not only short but easier for passengers from Sindh as compared to Lahore-Amritsar route in Punjab.

The intending passengers, including old men and women, arrived at reservation office on Wednesday night to make sure that they get tickets easily when booking got opened on Thursday morning at 8am.

Meanwhile, PR officials have proposed that Thar Express should be plied at a speed of 65 kilometres per hour instead of 40 kilometres per hour because of newly laid broad gauge track between Mirpurkhas and Zero Point section.

The rise in speed would reduce travel duration by at least one hour between Mirpurkhas and Zero Point, they said.